Cambodia faces safe water, sanitation challenges

http://www.philstar.com/

via CAAI

March 22, 2011

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) – While Cambodia is working hard to improve the access to safe water, the issue remains its challenge, a statement from UN office in the country said Tuesday.

"Some 85 percent of the population having access to safe water, among which 76 percent in urban areas," the statement said.

However, it said the situation is not as good for those living in urban slums where they have difficult access to state supplied water.

Furthermore, some 90 percent of population in the country have access to sanitation and 81 percent have toilets, according to the UN office in Cambodia.

However, only 30 percent of families in poor settlements have access to indoor toilets and human waste is mostly discharged in open spaces, posting health hazard and contributing to the degradation of local environment.

The statement is released on the day as the world observes World Water Day, which is held on annual basis since 1993 to bring global attention to the importance of water and sanitation.